We are proud to reveal our commissioned artwork installation in response to the Black Lives Matter movement as part of a nationwide project, the Scottish Mural Trail.
Image Credit: Maili Fraser
Following the Black Lives Matter peaceful-protest in Inverness on Sunday 7 June, Eden Court offered their building as a place to display the banners, placards and posters that had been placed on Ness Bridge, so that the general public are able to continue to view them and reflect.
The initial desire to provide a location for the messages of support and solidarity soon gained momentum.
The Black Lives Matter – Scottish Mural Trail is the brainchild of Edinburgh based creative Producer Wezi Mhura and is supported by venues and arts organisations including Eden Court as well as Edinburgh International Festival, Dance Base, Queen’s Hall Edinburgh, Glasgow’s King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal, plus many more.
The Scottish government says it recognises the strength in its aspirations to a more equal and more diverse society going forward, and we hope this Mural Trail will help to start the conversations that need to be happening now. It’s been amazing to connect in with so many talented artists (with roots in so many different places) who have been so enthusiastic about getting behind this project
Image credit: Neil Hepburn
Following discussions between Eden Court and Wezi Mhura it became clear that the banners, placards and posters from Ness Bridge should be integrated into an artistic response to the movement. Eden Court has commissioned local illustrator Jacqueline Briggs to create an artwork that forms the central focus of a temporary installation at Eden Court and includes the Inverness posters and banners that were created to mark the peaceful-protest that took place in the city on 7 June.
Jacqueline is based at Inverness Wasps Studios and is half Scottish and half Papua New Guinean. She is inspired by the beauty of the contrasting landscapes and cultures of her dual heritage. Her artwork hopes to encapsulate the importance of unity and togetherness as we strive for equality. Jacqueline is also a valued member of the Eden Court team.
A celebration of the diversity of people who live in the Highlands, it is really exciting and poignant to have local banners of support for the movement fully incorporated within the artwork. Displayed together, I hope to encapsulate the importance of unity and compassion as we strive for equality
The installation will be on display from 2pm on Thursday 2nd July. The building remains closed but it has been designed to be viewed through the restaurant windows where social distancing considerations can be appropriately observed. When Eden Court re-opens it will be on display again for a short period before moving to the Highland Archive Centre.